Snow alarms



July 5, 1966 E. CICCARONE 3,259,894

snow ALARMS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. as 4/V77/0/1/ C/CCfl/PO/VE W WMWM ATI'OF/VEK y 5, 1965 A. E. CICCARONE3,259,894

SNOW ALARMS Filed Feb. L9, 1962 3 h t s t 2 INVENTOR 4/1 THO/V) f.C/CC'A/ OA L' 4 Tram EX y 1966 A. E. CICCARONE 3,259,894

SNOW ALARMS INVENTOR. Ammo/W C/rcAm /F rwhua United States Patent3,259,894 SNOW ALARMS Anthony E. Ciccarone, 1656 Sheridan Lane,Jeifersonville, Pa. Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 176,850 10 Claims.(Cl. 340-272) This application is a continuation-in-part of applicationSerial No. 161,835, filed December 26, 1961, and now abandoned.

My invention relates to snow alarms, and it relates more particularly tomeans for signaling a warning when snow has fallen in a manner to createa road hazard.

It is characteristic of snow that when a sutficient amount hasaccumulated on highways, tratfic thereon becomes perilous andtreacherous; and therefore the pace of traffic is necessarily renderedslow. In addition, the fall of snow is generally quite noiseless, andgives no warning of its arrival.

Thus, many a motorist has been surprised on awakening in the morning, todiscover that snow has fallen during the night and rendered the roadsperilous so that he needs much additional time to drive to hisdestination, thereby making him late for his appointments, or otherwisenecessitating drastic changes in his activities for the day. Others, forinstance those who own or operate snow plows or who are otherwiseexpected to clear driveways or roadways of snow, find that should theyawaken at the regular hour in the morning after snow has fallen duringthe night, they are arising too late to be of optimum service for thosewho need their roads or driveways cleared.

One object of my invention therefore is to provide a means fordiscovering the advent of snow, and when sufficient snow has fallen,such for instance as an amount sufficient to render the use of highwaysperilous, to sound an alarm which will arouse the motorist, snow plowoperator or other individual whose activities are in any way gauged tothe freedom of highways or driveways from snow, or who otherwise hasneed of knowing when snow has fallen.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for detecting thefall of snow during normal sleeping hours of the user, but which willwithhold sounding an alarm during said sleeping hours until the time hasarrived at which the user should awaken in order to meet the exigenciesof the fallen snow. Thus for instance, if the user of my invention wouldnormally sleep from 11:00 pm. until 7:00 am. and would require anadditional hour and a half of waking time in the event snow has fallenduring the night, and assuming that such snow has fallen by 2:00 a.m.;by the use of my invention my snow alarm will be activated by the fallensnow at 2:00 am. but will not sound an alarm until :30 am. Also,assuming that such snow has fallen during the day, when the user has noneed of receiving this information from the snow alarm, no alarm will besounded until 5:30 a.m., and even then it will not be sounded unless thesnow has not thawed in the interim or the alarm othenwise has not beendeactivated by the snow having been removed therefrom or a switch havingbeen opened.

A further object of my invention is to provide a snow alarm which isadapted to be operated selectively to sound an alarm at varying degreesof snowfall. In this manner for instance, a light snowfall which wouldnot seriously affect driving conditions could be rejected, while aheavier snowfall could be relied upon to sound an alarm.

Another object of my invention is to provide a snow alarm which willcapture and retain snow which has fallen to a degree which would renderdriving treacherous, until 3,259,894 Patented July 5, 1966 after thecaptured snow has sounded an alarm; but which will allow said snow to bemelted when the weather is such as to thaw the snow on the highway, in amanner to cause the melted snow to run off and free the device for reusein the next snowfall.

A further object of my invention is to provide a snow alarm which is soconstructed as selectively to reject rainfall but to accept snow fall,in its alarm-sounding operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which will signalan alarm when the weather is such as to cause a frozen precipitation ofany kind, to be deposited on roadways in the vicinity.

A further object of my invention is to provide a snow alarm which iseasy and inexpensive to construct, simple and dependable to operate, andreadily adaptable for use with an alarm in the bedroom or other roomused by the operator.

Other objects will appear from the more detailed description whichfollows.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred byme, since the same have been found to give satisfactory and reliableresults, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized, and that my invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities asherein shown and described.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference charactersindicate like parts:

FIGURE 1 represents an elevational view, partly in section, of a snowalarm embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 rep-resents a perspective view of a selective retaining meansforming part of a snow alarm embodying my invention.

FIGURE 3 represents a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section ofa modified construction of a portion of a snow alarm embodying myinvention. I

FIGURE 4 represents a diagrammatic view of a snow alarm system ofmodified construction embodying my invention.

FIGURE 5 represents a diagrammatic view of a snow alarm system ofanother modified construction embodying my invention.

FIGURE 6 represents a vertical elevational view of a delayed actionsystem forming part of a snow alarm system of a further modifiedconstruction embodying my invention.

FIGURE 7 represents a rear elevational view of a portion of the timesetting mechanism illustrated in FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 represents an elevational view, partly in section, of a snowalarm of modified construction embodying my invention.

According to my invention I provide a platform 10 adapted to be mountedin :1 preferably horizontal manner in the out-of-doors and on anysuitable base. Thus for instance, the platform 10 may be mounted on ahollow post 11 upwardly projecting from a tripod 12 adapted to bemounted on the ground (not shown). Or if desired, the platform 10 may bemounted on, and project outwardly from, a suitable window sill (notshown), portion of a roof (not shown) or other suitable base, providedthe platform 10 when thus mounted is in a location where snow is free tofall regardless of the direction from which a snow-carrying wind may beblowing.

A suitable pivot 13 having a horizontal axis, such for instance as thehinge 14 is mounted on the platform 10. Such hinge 14 may comprise ahorizontal, fixed leaf 15 secured in any suitable manner to the platform10, and an upper, movable leaf 16 secured in any suitable manner to thelower face of a selective retaining means 17.

The selective retaining means 17 preferably comprises a plate portion 18having a run-off edge 19. In a p1'e ferred form, a continuous preferablysolid wall 26 projects upwardly from the plate portion 18, preferablyalong the perimeter portion 21 thereof extending from one end 22 of therun-off edge 19 to the other end 23 thereof.

The wall 20 comprises an upper edge portion 24 which may extend beyondthe run-off edge region 19, in the vicinity of the end 22, and may ifdesired return in the vicinity of the end 23 to rejoin that portion ofthe wall 20 which is adjacent the perimeter portion 21.

In one form, as illustrated, the selective retaining means or device 17comprises the wall 20 formed as an annulus 25 with the plate portion 18disposed therein with the perimeter portion 21 contiguous to the insideface 26 of the wall 20 in the snow trapping region 27 of the selectiveretaining means 17, and the region between the run-off edge 19 and theremainder 28 of the annulus 25 forming therebetween a run-off passage29. The upper edge portion 24 of the annulus 25 in the run-off passageregion thereof may be notched as at 30 to receive a suitable weightdevice 31 which may comprise a weight 32 carried by a link 33 adapted tobe disengageably and selectively interlocked with the notches 30.

A microswitch 34 is mounted on the platform with the mechanical contactmember 35 of the microswitch 34 projecting upwardly in a manner to beadapted to be contacted by the lower face 36 of the plate 18, and to bedepressed thereby when the hinge leaf 16 is swung toward the hinge leaf15. The hinge 13 is so disposed on the platform 10 with relation to themicroswitch contact member 35, the lower face 36 of the plate 18 and anedge 37 of the platform 10, that the axis 13 of the hinge 14 is disposedintermediate said platform edge 37 and the contact member '35, operablyto dispose the edge 37 as a limiting stop for the downwardly tiltingmovement of the plate 18, and the depressed position of the contactmember 35 forms a limiting stop for the opposite movement of the plate18 toward the horizontal.

Suitable wires 38 lead from the microswitch 34, preferably in aweatherproof manner as for instance through the interior of the post 11,to a suitable source of electric power, as for instance a dry cellbattery 39 in series with a suitable alarm device such for instance asthe buzzer 40 which may be selectively connected or disconnected bymeans of an electric switch device 41. The battery 39, buzzer 40 andswitch 41 may be located in any suitable place such for instance as abedroom, ready room, or the like.

In operation, the platform 10 holds the selective retaining means 17 inthe out-of-doors in a manner to be exposed to snow when snow is falling.The pivot 13 may be disposed between the center of gravity of theselective retaining means 17 and the edge 42 thereof opposite to therun-off edge 19, thereby causing the plate 18 to tilt downwardly untilit comes to rest against the edge 37 of the platform 10. If desired,instead of depending upon the location of the pivot 13 with respect tosaid center of gravity, the weight device 31 may be adjusted among thenotches 30 to cause the plate 18 to bear against the edge 37 of theplatform 10. In either even-t, when the snow falls it will rest upon andcling to the upper surface 43 of the plate 18. In this operation, thewall 20 protects the snow from blowing off of the plate 18, andadditionally acts to form eddies which would entrap snow behind the wall20 when snow-carrying wind would be blowing in a substantiallyhorizontal direction. The thus entrapped snow falls on the plate 18 andcollects thereon as indicated at 44. As the collected snow rises on theplate 18, the weight thereof tends to counterbalance the downwardtilt-causing weight,

operably to swing the plate 18 toward the horizontal until it rests uponthe contact member 35 and depresses the same in a manner to makeelectrical contact with the microswitch 34. This actuates the buzzer 40until it arouses the occupant who may then disconnect the buzzer bymanipulating the switch 41.

Should it be desired to cause the device to reject snow when there isbut a slight snowfall, the weight device 31 can be moved to a notch 30disposed further away from the center of gravity of the selectiveretaining means 17, or different sizes of weights may be used. In thismanner, snow of varying depths or weights can be accepted or rejectedfor operating the selective retaining device. Also if desired, aplurality of microswitches such as the microswitch 45 could be used inconjunction with the selective switch 46, the plurality of switchesincluding the switches 34, 45, being so arranged on the platform 10 thattheir contact members will be selectively depressed into electricalcontact at different degrees of tilt of the plate 18. In such case, theswitch 46 is connected with each microswitch in a manner to cut out theother microswitches. By suitable manipulation of the switch 46, theoccupant can selectively disconnect the microswitch which would beactuated at unwanted degrees of tilt, while allowing the one microswitchto remain in contact, which would represent the degree of tilt caused bya snowfall of an amount desired to actuate the alarm.

The accumulated snow will remain on the plate 18 until there issufficient evaporation and thaw to cause it to disappear. This isanalogous to the actual condition of the snow on the highway. Thus forinstance, if the occupant desired to be warned when it may be expectedto find two inches of snow on the highway, he may set the snow alarm tonotify him when two inches of snow has fallen on the plate 18. Assumingthat two inches of snow has then fallen and sounded the alarm, whereuponthe snow ceases, and is followed by an evaporation or thaw which wouldreduce the depth of snow to one inch, a subsequent snowfall of but oneinch is required to bring the depth back to two inches and thereby tore-sound the alarm. This is in direct consonance with the snow conditionon the highway.

Continuing with the operation of the device, when the snow thaws it isreduced to water, and said water is free to flow off the plate 18 andover the run-off edge 19 and through the run-off passage 29 away fromthe selective retaining means 17. As it does so, the weight of retainedsnow is thereby released, and the plate is again free to swing to itsdownward tilting position wherein it rests against the edge 37 of theplatform 10.

My invention will also operate as an alarm when sleet has fallen orformed, or when the weather is such as to cause wet roads to glaze, in amanner to constitute a road hazard. Thus for instance, should rain havefallen sufiicient to wet the plate 18, and the temperature be such as tofreeze the moisture on the plate 18 before it can drain across therun-off edge 19, and should subsequent rain become frozen on the thusaccumulated ice, there will be a sufficient accumulation of weight onthe plate 18 to cause it to swing toward a horizontal position andthereby to actuate the alarm. Similarly, should sleet collect on theplate 18, its weight will tend to swing the selective retaining means 17towards a horizontal position and thereby actuate the alarm. In eitherevent, when the frozen moisture thaws, it will drain through the run-01fpassage 29 and allow the plate 18 again to tilt away from themicroswitch contact member 35, thereby disengaging the alarm. Thus itwill be seen that road hazards occasioned by snow, sleet or glazing,will all be recorded by the snow alarm of my invention in a manner tosignal an alarm.

Should it be desired, the pivot 13 can be so related to the center ofgravity of the selective retaining device as to cause the device 17 torest lightly on the contact member 35 without depressing it to actuatingcondition. The weight of frozen precipitation would then cause thedevice to move downwardly to actuate the microswitch. An illustration ofthis may be found in FIG- URE 3, wherein the selective retaining deviceis referred to generally by the numeral 47, and comprises a plateportion 18 having a run-off edge 19 and a lower face 36 normally restingupon the contact member 35 of a microswitch 34 mounted on a platformwhich supports a pivot 48 on which is mounted the selective retainingmeans 47, the center of gravity of the selective retaining means 47being disposed between the pivot 48 and the contact member 35. Bysuitable adjustment of the weight 32 about the notches 30, the weight ofthe selective retaining device 47 can be so counterbalanced as to causethe plate 18 to rest so lightly upon the contact member 35 as not toactuate the microswitch 34 until additional weight has accumulated onthe plate 18, as when the required amount of snow or ice has accumulatedthereon.

Also as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the selective retaining device 47includes a downwardly projecting skirt portion 49 which substantiallyembraces the platform 10 and the pivot means and microswitch mountedthereon, operably to protect the mechanically operative portions and theelectrical connections related thereto, from undue exposure to theweather. Thus for instance, the hinge, microswitch and wires leading tothe microswitch would be protected from the rain or snow, therebyreducing the possibility of movable parts becoming frozen, or corrosiontaking place. In a preferred form the downwardly projecting skirt 49 isformed integral with the upwardly projecting Wall 20.

In FIGURE 4 is illustrated a modified construction embodying myinvention, wherein means are provided for delaying the sounding of analarm until a prescribed time selected by the user of the device. Thus,a clock mechanism 50 is provided, having a shaft 51 on which the hourhand (not shown) may normally be mounted. A cam 52 may be mounted on theshaft 51 and is preferably adjustable thereon by any suitable means.Although such means is illustrated by the set screw 53, it is to beunderstood that any desirable means for adj-usting the cam 52 on theshaft 51 may be used. The cam 52 has a low portion 54 preferablyextending throughout a major portion of its periphery, and a highportion 55 radially projecting therefrom preferably for a relativelyshort distance. A shoe 56 may be mounted on a substantially fixedportion of the clock mechanism 50 and in the path of the high 55 but outof contact with the low portion 54 of the cam 52. The shoe 56 may ifdesired be spring mounted as at 57 to provide a suitable give to theshoe 56 when it is contacted by the high portion 55. The shoe 56 and thecam 52 are preferably made of electrical conductors and are insulatedone from the other. A brush 58 or other suitable contact member may bemounted on the clock mechanism 50 in insulated relation thereto, andadapted to bear an electrical contact against the cam 52. The shoe 56and cam 52 thus form an intermittent switch which may be electricallyconnected in series with the alarm device such as the buzzer 40 and thesource of electrical current such as the battery '39. Thus for instance,the battery 39 may be connected to the brush 58 and the buzzer 40 may beconnected to the shoe 56.

When the microswitch 34 is closed by the contact member 35 beingdepressed by the weight of the snow 44 bearing against the plate 18,current will not flow through the system until the high 55 of the cam 52bears against the shoe 56. But the high 55 will only be in thiscondition during the time the hour shaft 51 has rotated the requirednumber of degrees. Thus for instance, if the high 55 extends three (3)degrees along the periphery of the cam 52, and that portion of the shoe56 which is adapted to be contacted by the high 55, itself extends anadditional three degrees, and assuming the cam 52 is adjusted on thehour shaft 51 so as to dispose the leading edge 59 of the high 55 in aposition where it will begin contacting the shoe 56 at 5:00 oclock, thecircuit will be in a position to be operable from 5 :00 oclock when thehigh 55 commences contact with the shoe 56 until twelve minutes after5:00 oclock when the high 55 leaves the shoe 56; and at no other timewould it be operable. Thus, the user of the snow alarm could set thedelayed signal mechanism to be operable at any desired time andinoperable at all other times. In this way for instance, he could setthe alarm to be operable between 5:00 and 5:12 oclock, and could then goto sleep at 11:00 pm. Should snow fall during the night he will not beawakened until 5 :00 am. If there is no snowfall, or if there is notsufficient snow to operate the out-of-doors mechanism, he will not beawakened by the snow alarm, and will be allowed to sleep until thenormal rising time.

The clock mechanism 50 may be of the usual twelve hour type, or of thetwenty-four hour type, or any other desired type. If the mechanism is ofthe twelve hour type and it is desired to set the snow alarm to beoperable only once every tweny-four hours, suitable reducing gears orother conversion means may be used. Thus, for instance, as illustratedin FIGURE 5, a reducing gear 60 may be mounted on the hour shaft 51, andmeshed with a gear 61 having twice the periphery of the gear 60. The cam52 may be mounted on the gear 61 and adapted to be intermittentlyengaged with the shoe 56 which is suitably mounted (not shown) on anypreferably fixed location. Thus a standard twelve hour clock may beconverted to render the snow alarm operable only during the night or anyother desired brief period during a twenty-four hour day.

It is to be understood that the clock mechanism 50 may be of manualwinding, electrically opera-ted or other suitable mechanism which isadapted to operate a moving part which can be associated with anintermittent electric contact which may be connected in series with theout-of-doors portion of the snow alarm mechanism. Thus for instance, aconventional alarm clock may be connected with its alarm mechanism inseries with the out-of-doors snow alarm microswitch.

In FIGURE 6 is illustrated a delayed action mechanism of furthermodified construction, embodying my invention. Thus a clock mechanism 62may be mounted in a suitable housing 63, and may comprise a continuouslyrotating time shaft having a spur gear 64 in mesh with a gear 65 mountedon a suitable pivot 66 carried by the housing 63. In a preferred form,the mounting for the gear 65 comprises a sleeve 67 which is rotatablydisposed on the pivot 66. The ratio of the gear 65 to the spur gear 64with relation to the rate of revolution of the spur gear 64 is such thatthe gear 65 will traverse 360 in a desired interval of time, such forinstance as twenty-four hours. A suitable dial 68 may be mounted on thesleeve 67 in fixed relation to the gear 65, and may comprise digits orother legends 69 indicating intervals of time. A time-set device suchfor instance as the starting time-set 70 and the ending time-set 71 mayalso be mounted on the sleeve 67, but in rotatable relation thereto. Thetimesets 70, 71 may each comprise means for being adjustably secured tothe dial 68 in desired locations with respect to the time intervaldesignations 69 there-on. The starting time-set 70 may comprise a triplever 72 rearwardly projecting therefrom, and the ending time-set 71 maycomprise a trip lever 73 rearwardly projecting from it and disposed at adifferent radius from the axis of the sleeve 67.

A suitable switch mechanism 74 may be mounted in the housing 63, andcomprise trigger mechanism 75 adapted to be engaged and operated by themovement of the starting trip lever 72 about the axis of the sleeve 67,and the trigger 76 adapted to be engaged and operated by the movement ofthe trip lever 73 about theaxis of the sleeve 67. The switch mechanism74 is preferably of a kind which will be moved into the on position whenthe trigger 75 has been thus engaged and operated by the starting triplever 72, and when in the on position will have its trigger 76 cocked tobecome engaged by the ending trip lever 73; and when the ending triplever 73 engages and operates the trigger 76, the switch mechanism '74will be moved into the off position and will also cock the trigger 75 tobe in position to become engaged and operated by the starting trip lever72 at the next onset of the trip lever 72 during the rotation of thedial 68. Thus, the switch mechanism 74 will be moved to the on positiononce during the time interval embraced by the dial 68 and will remain inthe on position until it is triggered by the ending trip lever 73whereupon it will return to the olf position for the remainder of therotation of the dial 68. If desired, additional time-sets (not shown)may be used about the dial 68.

In one preferred form, a suitable transformer 77 may be mounted in thehousing 63, and may be connected on the high voltage side 78 thereof toa source (not shown) of house current by means of the wires 79. On thesame side of the transformer, wires 80 may be connected leading to theclock mechanism 62 operably continuously to operate said clock mechanism62. The low voltage side 81 of the transformer 77 may be connected atone terminal to one side 82 of the switch mechanism 74, and at the otherterminal to one of the conductors 38 leading to the out-of-doors portionof the snow alarm mechanism.

The other side 83 of the switch mechanism 74 may be connected to oneterminal 84 of the signal device such for instance as the buzzer 40which may itself be mounted within the housing 63, and may also beconnected to one terminal 85 of a manually operable switch 86 which mayalso be carried by the housing 63. The other terminal 87 of the manuallyoperable switch 86 may be connected to the other side 82 of the switchmechanism 74, thereby disposing the manually operable switch 86 inparallel with the automatic switch mechanism 74, operably to shunt thesame when the manual switch 86 is in the on condition.

The opposed terminal 88 of the signal device such as the buzzer 40 maybe connected to one terminal 89 of a manually operable signal switch 90which may be carried by the housing 63. The other terminal 91 of thesignal switch 90 may be connected to a conductor 92 forming one of thewires 38 leading to the out-of-doors snow alarm mechanism and opposed tothe other of the wires 38 which connects said out-of-doors snow alarmmechanism to the low side 81 of the transformer 77.

Thus it will be found that the out-of-doors portion of the snow alarmmechanism will be operable by the accumulation of snow or ice on theselective retaining means 17 causing the closing of the circuit in themicroswitch 34 and thereby forming a closed circuit in that portion ofthe electrical conductors 38. With the signal switch 90 in the onposition, and the manual switch 86 in the on position, current will flowthrough the signal device such for instance as the buzzer 40 in a mannerto operate the same and to sound the alarm. This alarm will continueuntil the snow or other accumulation will have disappeared from theselective retaining means 17 sufficiently to release the microswitch 34,or until the signal switch 90 has been turned to the off position, orthe manual switch 86 is turned 01f when the dial 68 is in a positionwhere the switch mechanism 74 would be in the off condition.

Turning the manual switch 86 into the off position permits the automaticmechanism control by the clock mechanism 62 to operate in its place.Thus, with the microswitch 34 in closed condition as aforesaid, currentwill flow from the transformer 77 to the switch mechanism 74 and will beprevented from further flow while the switch mechanism 74 is in opencondition as during all of the rotation of the dial 68 between the timethe trigger 76 is released by the trip lever 73 and the time the trigger75 is again engaged by the trip lever 72. When the trip lever 72operates the trigger 75, the switch mechanism 74 moves to closedcondition and current is then free to flow through the signal devicesuch for instance as the buzzer 40 and back through the closed circuitincluding the out-of-doors snow alarm portion, thereby operating thesignal device 40. Should it be desired to turn off the buzzer 40 once ithas sounded and before the trip lever 73 disconnects it, it is merelynecessary to operate the signal switch which is in series with thebuzzer 40.

The switch mechanism 74 may also operate an electrical switch 93 havingopposed terminals 94 and 95 adapted to be connected to ay means ordevice which may be desired to be automatically operated by the onset ofsnow or other frozen accumulation during certain hours. Thus forinstance, if it is desired to prevent the accumulation of snow or ice ona driveway by heating it by embedded means (not shown) but only to dothis during hours of the day substantially when it is expected traflicwould be using the driveway, the low side 8-1 of the transformer 77 maybe connected to the terminal 95 of the switch 93. The opposed terminal94 of the switch 93 may be connected to the heating means (not shown)operably to set the same in on condition, said heating means being alsoconnected to the out-of-doors portion of the snow alarm mechanism whichitself is connected to the low side 81 of the transformer 77 ashereinabove described. Connections also may be made to the manual switch86 and the signal switch 90 in the same manner as heretofore described.

If desired, when the out-of-doors snow alarm portion is equipped withmeans, as for instance the plurality of microswitches 34 and 45, forindicating a plurality of degrees of snowfall or other frozenaccumulation, the automatic time delay mechanism may be shunted and thealarm sounded or otherwise put in operation. Thus for instance, themicroswitch 45 may be connected substantially directly to the terminals66 and 91, thereby operably to furnish a snow alarm which will operatethe alarm or other desired mechanism when a snowfall of given weightwill have fallen and a previously determined time shall have arrived forthe commencement of said operation; and which will also operate withoutregard to the arrival of any previously determined time, when snow orother frozen condition shall have accumulated beyond a predeterminedweight. Thus for example, if the snow alarm has been set to operate themicroswitch 34 when snowfall has accumulated to the weight of a normal2" depth, and the dial 68 has been set to delay the sounding of thealarm buzzer 40 until 5:30 a.m. and also the microswitch 45 has been solocated as to be actuated when snow has fallen to a normal accumulationof 4", and a snowstorm shall have commenced at midnight producing a 2"accumulation by 2:00 am. and a 4" accumulation by 4:00 a.m., themicroswitch 34 will have been actuated at 2:00 am. but the buzzer willnot sound because of the dial-setting delaying action on thismicroswitch circuit until -5 :30 a.m., but the buzzer nevertheless willsound at 4:00 a.m. because of the actuation of the microswitch 45. Inthis manner, the microswitch 45 may be said to operate as an emergencyalarm which will warn the operator of an emergency condition requiringhim to commence his snow removal or other operations before the timenormally required by ordinary snowfall.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and Itherefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appendedclaims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; amicroswitch mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed on said platformbetween said microswitch and said edge portion; a selective retainingdevice tiltably mounted on said pivot, and comprising a plate, saidselective retaining device being adapted to be swung about said pivotbetween a position in which said selective retaining device restsagainst said edge portion, and a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests upon said microswitch in a manner to actuate thesame; said plate being adapted to accumulate frozen deposits directlyfrom the atmosphere, and comprising a run-off edge and a perimeterportion; an electrically operable signal device in electricalcommunication with said microswitgh; means selectively and alternatelyto connect and disconnect said signal device; and means selectively tocontrol the tilt which operates said signal device by means of saidmicroswitch.

2. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; amicroswitch mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed on said platformbetween said microswitch and said edge portion; a selective retainingdevice tiltably mounted on said pivot, and comprising a plate, saidselective retaining device being adapted to be swung about said pivotbetween a position in which said selective retaining device restsagainst said edge portion, and a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests upon said microswitch in a manner to actuate thesame; said plate being adapted to accumulate frozen deposits directlyfrom the atmosphere, and comprising a run-off edge and a perimeterportion; a Wall projecting upwardly from said plate; an electricallyoperable signal device in electrical communication with saidmicroswitch; means selectively and alternately to connect and disconnectsaid signal device; and means selectively to controlthe tilt whichoperates said signal device by means of said microswitch.

3. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; amicroswitch mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed on said platformbetween said microswitch and said edge portion; a selective retainingdevice tiltably mounted on said pivot, and comprising a plate, saidselective retaining device being adapted to be swung about said pivotbetween a position in which said selective retaining device restsagainst said edge portion, and a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests upon said microswitch in a manner to actuatethesame; said plate being adapted to accumulate frozen deposits directlyfrom the atmosphere, and comprising a run-ofi edge and a perimeterportion, an electrically operable signal device in electricalcommunication with said microswitch; means selectively and alternatelyto connect and disconnect said signal device.

4. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; amicroswitch mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed on said platformbetween said microswitch and said edge portion; a selective retainingdevice tiltably mounted on said pivot, and comprising a plate, saidselective retaining device being adapted to be swung about said pivotbetween a position in which said selective retaining device restsagainst said edge portion, and a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests upon said microswitch in a manner to actuate thesame; said plate being adapted to accumulate frozen deposits directlyfrom the atmosphere, and comprising a run-off edge and a perimeterportion; a Wall projecting upwardly from said plate; an electricallyoperable signal device in electrical communication with saidmicroswitch; means selectively and alternately to connect and disconnectsaid signal device.

5. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; amicroswitch mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed on said platformbetween said microswitch and said edge portion; a selective retainingdevice tiltably mounted on said pivot, and comprising a plate, saidselective retaining device being adapted to be swung about said pivotbetween a position in which said selective retaining device restsagainst said edge portion, and a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests upon said microswitch in a manner to actuate thesame; said plate being adapted to accumulate frozen deposits directlyfrom the atmosphere, and comprising a run-off edge and a perimeterportion; an electrically operable signal device in electricalcommunication with said microswitch; means selectively and alternatelyto connect and disconnect said signal device; and a weight adjustablydisposable on said selective retaining device operably to select theweight of accumulated deposits which will cause said plate to actuatesaid microswitch. I

6. A snow alarm comprising a platform having an edge portion; aplurality of microswitches mounted on said platform; a pivot disposed onsaid platform between said microswitches and said edge portion; aselective retaining device tiltably mounted on said pivot, andcomprising a plate, said selective retaining device being adapted to beswung about said pivot between a position in which said selectiveretaining device rests against said edge portion, and a position inwhich said selective retaining device rests upon one of saidmicroswitches in a manner to actuate the same; said microswitches beingso disposed with relation to said selective retaining device as to beactuable at different degrees of tilt of said device; said plate beingadapted to accumulate frozen deposits directly from the atmosphere, andcomprising a run-off edge and a perimeter portion; an electricallyoperable signal device disposed in an electrical circuit with saidmicroswitches in a manner to be turned alternately on and off by theoperation of said microswitches; means operable to disconnect a selectedmicroswitch from said signal device; and means selectively andalternately to connect and disconnect said signal device.

7. A snow responsive device comprising a base;

a pivot carried by said base;

a switch mechanism carried by said base;

a selective retaining means comprising a plate moveably mounted on saidbase and adapted to be swung about said pivot into switch-actuatingengagement with said switch mechanism;

said selective retaining means being adapted:

to retain frozen moisture and to release fluid moisture;

to be actuated by the weight of frozen moisture thus retained, intoswinging about said pivot into switch-closing contact with said switchmechanism;

and when said frozen moisture has thawed, to release the resulting fluidoperably to be relieved of the weight thereof and to swing back aboutsaid pivot, thereby releasing said switch mechanism, and opening saidswitch;

means adapted to connect said switch mechanism to a source of electriccurrent;

an electrical appliance actuatable by said electric current when saidswitch mechanism is in closed condition,

and adapted to be disconnected from said current when said switchmechanism is in open condition;

said selective retaining means comprising a skirt adapted to embracesaid platform including the mechanical and electrical parts carriedthereby, and substantially to protect said mechanical and electricalparts from the weather.

8. A snow responsive device comprising a base;

a pivot carried by said-base;

a switch mechanism carried by said base;

a selective retaining means comprising a plate moveably 11 mounted onsaid base and adapted to be swung about said pivot into switch-actuatingengagement with said switch mechanism; said selective retaining meansbeing adapted:

to retain frozen moisture and to release fluid moisture; to be actuatedby the weight of frozen moisture thus retained, into swinging about saidpivot into switch-closing contact with said switch mechanism; and whensaid frozen moisture has thawed, to release the resulting fluid operablyto be relieved of the weight thereof and to swing back about said pivot,thereby releasing said switch mechanism, and opening said switch; meansadapted to connect said switch mechanism to a source of electriccurrent; an electrical appliance actuatable by said electric currentwhen said switch mechanism is in closed condition,

and adapted to be disconnected from said current when said switchmechanism is in open condition;

said selective retaining means comprising a wall portion adapted to formeddies in snow-carrying wind operably to cause said wind to deposit saidsnow on said retaining means, and to protect said snow from being blownoff said retaining means.

9. A snow responsive device comprising a base;

a pivot carried by said base;

a switch mechanism carried by said base;

a selective retaining means comprising a plate moveably mounted on saidbase and adapted to be swung about said pivot into switch-actuatingengagement with said switch mechanism;

said selective retaining means being adapted:

to retain frozen moisture and to release fluid moisture;

to be actuated by the weight of frozen moisture thus retained, intoswinging about said pivot into switch-closing contact with said switchmechanism; and when said frozen moisture has thawed, to release theresulting fluid operably to be relieved of the weight thereof and toswing back about said pivot, thereby releasing said switch mechanism,and opening switch;

means adapted to connect with switch mechanism to a source of electriccurrent;

an electrical appliance actuatable by said electric current when saidswitch mechanism is in closed condition,

and adapted to be disconnected from said current when said switchmechanism is in open condition;

a delayed time operating device comprising:

a clock mechanism,

a switch adapted to render said switch mechanism alternately operativeand inoperative; and

means connected with said clock mechanism for rendering said switchalternately in on condition and off condition.

10. A snow responsive device comprising a base;

a pivot carried by said base;

a switch mechanism carried by said base;

a selective retaining means comprising a plate moveably mounted on saidbase and adapted to be swung about said pivot into switch-actuatingengagement with said switch mechanism; said selective retaining meansbeing adapted:

to retain frozen moisture and to release fluid moisture; to be actuatedby the weight of frozen moisture thus retained, into swinging about saidpivot into switch-closing contact with said switch mechanism; and whensaid frozen moisture has thawed, to release the resulting fluid operablyto be relieved of the weight thereof and to swing back about said pivot,thereby releasing said switch mechanism, and opening said switch; meansadapted to connect said switch mechanism to a soiirce of electriccurrent; an electrical appliance actuatable by said electric currentwhen said switch mechanism is in closed condition,

and adapted to be disconnected from said current when said switchmechanism is in open condition; a delayed time operating devicecomprising:

a clock mechanism, a a switch adapted to render said switch mechanismoperative and inoperative; means connected with said clock mechanism forrendering said switch alternately in on condition and off condition,said last-mentioned means being adjustable as to times of starting andstopping said on and off c0nditions; means operable to disconnect saidelectrical appliance, independently of said delayed time operatingdevice; means operable to connect said electrical appliance to saidswitch mechanism independently of said delayed time operating device;said last-mentioned means being a secondary means operable to permitcurrent to flow to said electrical appliance when a predeterminedfurther accumulation of frozen moisture has been collected by saidselective retaining means;

said selective retaining means comprising a skirt adapted to embracesaid platform including the mechanical and electrical parts carriedthereby, and substantially to protect said mechanical and electricalparts from the weather;

said selective retaining means also comprising a wall portion adapted toform eddies in snowacarrying wind operably to cause said wind to depositsaid snow on said retaining means, and to protect said snow from beingblown off said retaining means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 840,582 1/ 1907ONeill 340-244 1,217,036 2/ 1917 McManus. 1,769,639 7/ 1930 Gustafson.2,373,041 4/ 1945 Martindell 340-439 2,439,509 4/1948 Eddy 200 X2,699,538 1/ 1955 Nickel 340-237 2,787,695 4/ 1957 Dyke 340234 X2,842,629 7/ 1958 Skinner ZOO-61.07 2,856,476 10/1958 Kaiser et al340235 X 2,944,120 7/1960 Ruben 20086.5 X

NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

D. K. MYER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SNOW ALARM COMPRISING A PLATFORM HAVING AN EDGE PORTION; AMICROSWITCH MOUNTED ON SID PLATFORM; A PIVOT DISPOSED ON SAID PLATFORMBETWEEN SAID MICROSWITCH AND SAID EDGE PORTION; A SELECTIVE RETAININGDEVICE TILTABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIVOT, AND COMPRISING A PLATE, SAIDSELECTIVE RETAINING DEVICE BEING ADAPTED TO BE SWUNG ABOUT SAID PIVOTBETWEEN A POSITION IN WHICH SAID SELECTIVE RETAINING DEVICE RESTSAGAINST SAID EDGE PORTION, AND A POSITION IN WHICH SAID SELECTIVERETAINING DEVICE RESTS UPON SAID MICROSWITCH IN A MANNER TO ACTUATE THESAME; SAID PLATE BEING ADAPTED TO ACCUMULATE FROZEN DEPOSITS DIRECTLYFROM THE ATMOSPHERE, AND COMPRISING A RUN-OFF EDGE AND A PERIMETERPORTION; AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATABLE SIGNAL DEVICE IN ELECTRICALCOMMUNICATION WITH SAID MICROSWITCH; MEANS SELECTIVELY AND ALTERNATELYTO CONNECT AND DISCONNECT SAID SIGNAL DEVICE; AND MEANS SELECTIVELY TOCONTROL THE TILT WHICH OPERATES SAID SIGNAL DEVICE BY MEANS OF SAIDMICROSWITCH.